Pilot Study of Educational Gaming to Improve Adherence to an End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring Protocol.

BACKGROUND: End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring is an important part of patient care. Understanding and interpreting ETCO2 wavelengths can be a challenge. This pilot study explored the efficacy of a novel approach to educating clinicians on ETCO2 monitoring via game theory.

METHOD: A video game application for ETCO2 monitoring was developed. Clinicians were encouraged to play the game over a 3-month period. Compliance with the ETCO2 protocol was compared in a random selection of patients admitted before, during, and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Thirty-eight clinicians completed the preand posttest, with a significant difference in test scores (p = .03). The intervention was associated with higher adherence to the ETCO2 protocol before and after the intervention (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: The availability of new technologies has created opportunities to develop new approaches to educate clinicians. This study showed that the use of a game improved adherence to the ETCO2 protocol. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(2):79-83.